Do the teeth remain even over time? Most folks (myself included), tend to be heavy handed on one side using the equal strokes method...if the teeth remain even over time, great, if not then unequal strokes ;).

Only buy Stihl, never "sharpen" a chain unless you are a professional lumber jack (put on a new chain and don't do dumb stuff during use), use stabil in regular pump gas (maybe 89 octane but I think Stihl says regular 87 is fine), and simply run the gas out at the end of a season when the tool is in regular use. I take my various Stihl's in to the dealer once ever 4 or so years and they do a tune up (a few simple parts) for a reasonable charge. They start without fail every year for the past 10. My Ariens snow blower get similar treatment and always starts first pull.

Oh, good point. I'll stop sharpening this very moment.
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Good point on "...don't do dumb stuff...".
Some scary homeowners out there.

when i was interviewing bamboo removal landscapers. a few guys told me they use carbide chains and do a fair amount of cutting into the ground. i cant imagine even a carbide chain lasting that long with that practice.

anyone ever use a carbide chain?

♪♪ Unchain my heart ♪♪

They say they are good for rescue stuff, like cutting through roofs.

The small Husqvarna saw I bought at the local big box store a couple years ago states in the owners manual to always completely loosen the bar before long time storage. I guess that's for the bearing in the nose of the bar?

I have an old 032AV Stihl passed down from my father. It’s 30 or so years old. He used it regularly and gave it to me a few years ago. I put good 2 stroke oil in it mixed with high octane (no corn) gasoline. I use it to cut a few cords of wood a year. I store it with a full tank of gas. I like to start it every six months or so just to get it lubricated.
I also sharpen the chain myself after every tank of gas using a dremel sharpening attachment.

All my Stihls require 89 or risk the powerhead...and you're an idiot ;)

I've been doing dumb stuff for decades with a chainsaw. I might even hit a nail or barbwire my great- grandfather nailed in a tree 80 years ago....schit happens :).

No one here even carries them....or uses. Can't sharpen without special wheels, etc. and they will get dull...eventually.

I bet they "slice nice" though :)

That and likely every link in the chain.

I'll be honest....I don't usually do that...only if I run it hard and tighten the chain during the cutting session. Newer chains don't seem to loosen as much...

Here's why....if your chain is at the right tension, there is no stress, on anything...links, bar, sprockets. Tighten the chain during long, hard use, put her away that way, and the chain cools & contracts....YMMV

KC, I take my time will sitting down with the saw in my lap doing one side the flipping the saw and doing the other, the teeth have remained even.

I just keep 'em even....different strokes ;).

...that's what matters...not how ya get there imo. I've got a 20"chain, practically new that I just can't get right....can't make a straight cut through a whopper tree...looks like a curved bow....stump chain now.

Speaking of chain sharpening. I find alot of my customers dont address the depth rakers. On my own saws i usually grind them right down but they really need to be maintained as much as the teeth or you wont get a good bite

Yes, use non-ethanol gas. This is important.

For longer term storage, pour the gas out of the saw and back into the gas can. Run the saw until it dies. Or just turn it upside down and run until it dies. Hang it on a hook in the shed.

May I just put it on a shelf?

I have tried sharpening chains, now just too lazy and it never made any difference.


still cant get it started.
it started cold yesterday and ran for about 30 seconds then stopped. could not get it going again.
pulled carb again and cleaned it just to make sure.
has spark
has compression although it feels weird. when it wants to start I can feel it building comp every rotation, then most of the time its like it builds it 2 or 3 times.
the saw is not that old. maybe 2 years

If you haven’t, check the primer bulb. They can get small cracks and won’t hold suction at high revs.

I keep a bunch on hand..

^^^
Now that's a great tip. Have had a couple split open on me.
Have a new one sitting in here in a junk bowl on the kitchen table.
Also, today's gas eats up the tubing.
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Oh, and another...have some new tank filters on hand.